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Returning to some “Strategic Planning for Me” from August 2024, here was my five-year focus:

Spiritual Foundation

To start 2025, I chose “Foundation” as my One Word focus for the year. For my Spiritual Growth Journal, I returned to Henry, Richard, and Mike Blackaby’s Experiencing God study. I completed the study more than ten years ago and recalled how it gets you “back to the basics” and serves as a “Foundation” for living by the core principles of faith—recognizing and responding to God’s presence and will in our lives.

Experiencing God encourages believers to build their spiritual lives on the fundamental understanding of God’s active involvement and guidance, which is essential to a deeper relationship with Him. The study focuses on the basics of how to truly experience God, making “foundation” a fitting summary of its emphasis on core spiritual truths.

I methodically completed the study with a post each month:
• January – God’s Will and Your Life
• February – Looking to God
• March – God Pursues a Love Relationship
• April – God’s Invitation to Join Him
• May – God Speaks to His People
• June – God Speaks in a Variety of Ways
• July – The Crisis of Belief
• August – Adjusting Your Life to God
• September – Experiencing God Through Obedience
• October – Experiencing God in The Church
• November – Do You Have a Kingdom Perspective?
• December – Experiencing God in Your Daily Life

Husband

As we entered 2025, Jennifer and I knew it would be a year of transition—with Tanner’s pending graduation and the “empty nest.”

We’ve made the most of our opportunities this year. We even got dressed up for the Rotary NASA event, honoring Pam Melroy with the RNASA Space Trophy –

This summer, we took the family on a fun trip to Hawaii and snuck away for a photo op of our own at the Luau in Maui –

Jennifer continued to have fun at work. Her team used the Ghostbusters theme for Halloween this year –

On December 6, Jennifer and I met Cody at Texas A&M for their second round volleyball match against TCU. TCU defeated A&M earlier in the season, and the match was a close one, with A&M ultimately winning 3 sets to 1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 29-27). This allowed the Aggies to advance to the Lincoln, Nebraska Regional, hosted by the #1 team in the country. As the celebration ensued, Coach Jamie Morrison exclaimed, “Now, we’ll go get a National Championship.” It struck us as a funny comment since they just barely defeated a TCU team that was ranked between #20 – #24.

We then went to A&M again the following week to watch a Men’s Basketball game (my birthday gift from the boys), and we found a way to watch the Aggie Volleyball team against Nebraska. They pulled off the unbelievable upset! On the way home, Jennifer and I both realized, “We have to go to the National Championship in Kansas City!”

We secured great tickets for the first round match against Pitt, and A&M defeated the second #1 seed to advance to the Final –

We then had time to see Kansas City on Friday & Saturday before Sunday’s final. Of course, we had to visit a Whataburger that Patrick Mahomes brought to Kansas City. Thank you, Mr. Mahomes –

Then, to satisfy my Political Science interest, Jennifer agreed to go to the Truman Presidential Library & Museum. Truman initiated the first Presidential museum, and it was an interesting experience –

The Volleyball Final was a great experience. Due to a ticket snafu, we landed first row seats near the A&M player exit, so Jennifer was able to high-five the players after their warm-up. We loved the celebration of A&M’s first National Championship!

Father

What a fun year to see our kids adulting!

Katy

In October, we went to Dallas to watch Katy complete her first half-marathon. It was fun seeing the support she had from her Sunday School teachers and fellow class members. It reminded Jennifer and I of the friendships we made in church as a young married couple (many years ago!) –

Cody

We were so excited to join Cody for the presentation of his Aggie ring. He’s journeyed so far and worked so hard for this moment –

Then, it was fun for us to provide Cody with a world-expanding trip to London and Rome for a “required” summer class through the College of Architecture. He took advantage of the opportunity and visited some well-recognized sites –

Cody joined us in Waco for Family Weekend with Tanner –

Then, Cody enjoyed the Texas A&M football season, culminating in the first-ever College Football Playoff game hosted at Kyle Field. Here he is, pictured with the University of Miami mascot –

Tanner

Tanner got a car in March—a 2024 Toyota Camry –

Tanner had a great senior season in basketball. He played his best game of the year with his brother, sister, parents, and grandparents watching in the stands. He hit five three-pointers and scored a game high 18 points –

We closed out the year with Tanner’s banquet and got a picture of Tanner with Coach Tommy Penders –

Then, for the first time ever, Galveston County hosted a Senior All-Star Game. Tanner participated in the three-point contest. He hit eight consecutive three-pointers to capture the championship –

Then, it was time for High School Graduation –

The whole family was able to join the celebration (L-R: Cody, Katy, Brady’s Dad & Mom, Tanner, Brady, Jennifer’s Mom, Evan, and Jennifer)

Following graduation, Tanner joined his girlfriend Lilla Crawford on her family trip to Charleston, South Carolina –

Tanner was excited to become a Baylor Bear. He’s pictured here with his roommate John –

We joined Tanner in Waco for Family Weekend –

Family

It was so fun taking the family to Hawaii (Maui & Kauai) this summer to celebrate Tanner’s HS graduation. Here we are, preparing for a helicopter tour of Kauai –

We also enjoyed a sunset Luau in Maui –

It was great to have Gram (Jennifer’s 89 year-old Mom) join us for Christmas this year. She made the round-trip flight to be with us. We all enjoyed the special Christmas Eve worship service at University Baptist Church –

Then, the kids all traveled with us to Corpus Christi for a Christmas celebration the weekend after Christmas. We even walked over the new bridge in CC –

Out of This World Leadership

I published my first book in February. What a fun day to see it in print, and it was even more fun to learn that Joe Tanner is pictured on the cover of the book (in his “Hi, Mom” spacewalk pose) –

Last Christmas, Evan gave me the 3D printed bookends entitled “Writer.” They hold the book well –

On my birthday this year, it was fun to be recognized with an award from Inspire Tomorrow media –

Space Center Houston

In January, Houston was hit with a light snow. It was fun to see the parking lot covered in white –

This year, I had the privilege to speak at the National Management Association’s 100th Anniversary Conference with former JSC Director, Mike Coats. Here we are, pictured at our fireside chat for the Conference –

Later in the year, I ordered my Ellen Ochoa barbie doll from Amazon. I’m holding it here along with my picture with Mike Coats & Ellen at an awards ceremony. Late in the year, Ellen agreed to write a Foreword for my next book, which will be released in 2026 –

In November, I went to Miami and spoke at a Chief HR Officer Summit at the Trump Doral Hotel & Conference Center. I liked this photo, taken during my keynote with my bio slide in the background –

To close out the year, I decorated my office with the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree –

What a great year 2025 has been for me with my family, for my side business, and at work. I’m looking forward to what 2026 has in store!